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ANALYSIS OF THE USAGE OF NAM BYEONG-CHEOL'S ARMILLARY SPHERE IN UIGIJIPSEOL IN THE 19TH CENTURY

19세기 남병철 『의기집설(儀器輯說)』 혼천의 용법 분석

  • Received : 2024.01.17
  • Accepted : 2024.02.20
  • Published : 2024.04.30
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Abstract

The armillary sphere, an astronomical observation device embodying the Orbital Heaven Theory of the Later Han Dynasty in China, holds both historical and scientific significance. It has been produced in various forms by many individuals since its inception in the era of King Sejong in the Joseon Dynasty. A prominent figure in this field was Nam Byeong-cheol (南秉哲, 1817-1863), known for his work 'Uigijipseol' (儀器輯說), published in 1859, which detailed the history, production methods, and usage of the armillary sphere. This text particularly highlights 21 applications of the armillary sphere, divided into 33 measurements, covering aspects like installation, time, and positional measurements, supplemented with explanations of spherical trigonometry. Despite numerous records of the armillary sphere's design during the Joseon Dynasty, detailed usage information remains scarce. In this study, the 33 measurements described in 'Uigijipseol' (儀器輯說) were systematically classified into six for installation, nineteen for position measurement, seven for time measurement, and one for other purposes. Additionally, the measurement methods were analyzed and organized by dividing them into the ecliptic ring, moving equatorial ring, and fixed equatorial ring of the armillary sphere. In other words, from a modern astronomical perspective, the results of schematization for each step were presented by analyzing it from the viewpoint of longitude, right ascension, and solar time. Through the analysis of Nam's armillary sphere, this study not only aims to validate the restoration model of the armillary sphere but also suggests the potential for its use in basic astronomical education based on the understanding of the 19th-century Joseon armillary sphere.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

본 연구는 한국천문연구원 '고천문 자산의 과학적 활용과 동북아 협력 연구' 과제의 지원을 받아 수행되었습니다. 또한 본 연구는 국립과천과학관과 충북대학교 충북Pro메이커센터의 지원으로 수행되었습니다.

References

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